Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
  • A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
  • A61L9/02—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone using substances evaporated in the air by heating or combustion
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
  • A01N25/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators, characterised by their forms, or by their non-active ingredients or by their methods of application, e.g. seed treatment or sequential application; Substances for reducing the noxious effect of the active ingredients to organisms other than pests
  • A01N25/18—Vapour or smoke emitting compositions with delayed or sustained release
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
  • A01N27/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing hydrocarbons
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
  • A01N65/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
  • A01N65/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof
  • A01N65/08—Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
  • A01N65/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof
  • A01N65/08—Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
  • A01N65/22—Lamiaceae or Labiatae [Mint family], e.g. thyme, rosemary, skullcap, selfheal, lavender, perilla, pennyroyal, peppermint or spearmint
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
  • A01N65/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof
  • A01N65/08—Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
  • A01N65/28—Myrtaceae [Myrtle family], e.g. teatree or clove
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
  • A01N65/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof
  • A01N65/08—Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
  • A01N65/34—Rosaceae [Rose family], e.g. strawberry, hawthorn, plum, cherry, peach, apricot or almond
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
  • A01N65/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof
  • A01N65/08—Magnoliopsida [dicotyledons]
  • A01N65/36—Rutaceae [Rue family], e.g. lime, orange, lemon, corktree or pricklyash
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01N—PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF; BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES; PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
  • A01N65/00—Biocides, pest repellants or attractants, or plant growth regulators containing material from algae, lichens, bryophyta, multi-cellular fungi or plants, or extracts thereof
  • A01N65/40—Liliopsida [monocotyledons]
  • A01N65/44—Poaceae or Gramineae [Grass family], e.g. bamboo, lemon grass or citronella grass
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
  • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
  • A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
  • A61L2/20—Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method of deactivating dust mite allergens.
• allergens are known to trigger a human reaction.
• house dust can trigger allergenic reactions in humans, such as asthma and rhinitis. It was reported, as early as 1928 that it was the dust mites in the dust that were the primary source of the allergenic response, but it was only in the 1960 's that researchers appreciated its significance .
• House dust mites produce detritus which causes allergenic reaction in many people.
• the major allergens are believed to be detritus from the mite species Dermatophogoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (the allergens being known as Der f1 and Der pi respectively) .
• the detritus includes faeces as well as body part residues of the mites.
• WO99/15208 describes a method for deactivating allergens derived from the D. Pteronyssinus and D. Farinae dust mite species, which comprises contacting the allergen with one of 28 deactivants which are described. These may be delivered into an airspace by aerosol spraying.
• WO 01/76371 describes further deactivants for house dust mite allergens. These may be delivered into an airspace by various methods including use of an ultra-sonic jet nebuliser, an ion wind generator, a candle incorporating a deactivant, or heat to vaporise an oil.
• the examples given of the use of heat are to float the oil on water in an oil burner or to heat oil directly in an oil burner.
• the volatile oil may be vaporized from a heated wick dipped into a reservoir of the volatile oil.
• a method of deactivating Der p and Der f allergens comprising dispersing into an airspace an allergen-deactivating amount of an allergen- deactivating compound (hereinafter the "deactivant"), the deactivant being dispersed from a vessel in contact with a hotplate, the hotplate preferably being set to a temperature of at least 100°C.
• deactivant an allergen-deactivating compound
• noun deactivant and the verb deactivate in this specification denote that some or all of a source of allergens at a locus are rendered unable to evoke an allergenic response in a human, by a method of the present invention.
• the net result is that the source may be reduced in its allergenicity, or its allergenicity may be completely removed.
• the deactivant is dispersed into the airspace as a vapour.
• the hotplate has an electrical heat source.
• the vessel and the hotplate are in face-to-face contact.
• the hotplate has a flat surface and the vessel has a flat base, and the vessel rests on the hotplate.
• the vessel has an opening in its upper region. Preferably it has a fully open upper face.
• the vessel has a flat base, a side
• the hotplate is set to a temperature of at least 130°C.
• the hotplate is set to a temperature up to 300°C, preferably up to 250°C.
• the deactivant is selected from: a terpene hydrocarbon; a citrus oil; a mint oil; bois de rose oil; oil of jasmine; frankincense; oil of bergamot; and oil of lemon grass.
• Preferred terpene hydrocarbons include tea tree oil, pinol and ⁇ -pinene.
• An especially preferred deactivant is a citrus oil, most preferably orange oil .
• Another especially preferred deactivant is ⁇ -pinene.
• a deactivant may suitably be a single compound. Alternatively a mixture of deactivants may be used together.
• a deactivant may be part of a blend of compounds, not all of which are deactivants.
• a citrus oil is a blend of compounds not all of which will function as deactivants.
• a deactivant may suitably be dispersed into the airspace over an extended period, for example at least 30 minutes, and preferably at least 1 hour.
• a deactivant may suitably be dispersed into the airspace on two occasions, interrupted by a period in which there is no deactivant dispersal .
• a deactivant may be dispersed into the airspace on one or more further occasions, following a corresponding period or periods of no deactivant dispersal.
• each such dispersal occasion involves deactivant dispersal over an extended period, as described above.
• the or each period in which there is no deactivant dispersal is an extended period, for example at least 2 hours, preferably at least 4 hours, and most preferably at least 8 hours.
• inanimate test source we mean a test source which is itself inanimate (e.g. it is not the skin or coat/fur of a live animal) and it does not contain living organisms, such as dust mites. Populations of dust mites would make any result difficult to interpret.
• the reduction in allergen content in such a source is of long duration, for example at least 7 days, typically at least 14 days, and suitably at least 28 days. Indeed, in tests we have carried out over a 28-day period, we have found that the allergen content may continue to decline over time, even though the deactivant may have been used days or weeks before.
• the results suggest that the allergenic species have been truly denatured or degraded, to the extent that, firstly, they cannot re-form, and secondly, their degradation products are not themselves allergenic. It further suggests that the action of the deactivant is not merely a masking or damping effect. Any such effect would be likely to break down over time.
• the deactivant may be used as such, or may be comprised within an oil-on-water formulation, or may be comprised within an oil-in-water emulsion formulation.
• An oil/water formulation suitably comprises at least 0.5% by weight of the deactivant (in total, when more than one of said deactivants is employed), preferably at least 2%, more preferably at least 6%, most preferably at least 8%, and especially at least 10%.
• an oil-water formulation comprises up to 25% by weight of the deactivant (in total, when more than one of said deactivants is employed) , more preferably up to 20% and most preferably up to 15%.
• a percentage value given for a component denotes the weight of the component expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the emulsion.
• emulsions are generally well known in the art and is described, for example, in Modern Aspects of Emulsion Science, edited by Bernard P. Binks, The Royal Society of Chemistry, 1998 and Surfactant Science and Technology, Second Edition, Drew Myers, 1992, VCH Publishers, Inc.
• Non-ionic surfactants may be especially suitable.
• Proprietary surfactant packs may be employed to form emulsions, for example E-Z-MU SE (Trade Mark) , a non- ionic surfactant pack from Florida Chemical Company, US.
• the present invention involves the dispersal of an allergen deactivant into an airspace, preferably as a vapour. It is possible that airborne allergens may be deactivated but it is believed that there is effective deactivation of allergens borne on surfaces within the airspace.
• apparatus for deactivating Der p and/or Der f allergens at a locus comprising an allergen deactivant within a vessel, and a heat source used to accelerate the vaporization of the deactivant, the heat source being a hotplate in contact with the vessel .
• an apparatus for deactivating Der p and/or Der f allergens comprising a vessel containing an allergen deactivant and a hot plate in contact with the vessel .
• House dust was passed through a number of sieves and the fraction smaller than 53 ⁇ . was collected. 0.025g of dust was placed in a small sieve to distribute it evenly over the test surface.
• the test surface was a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene - trade mark TEFLON) coated metal tray of size 30cm x 30cm. The dust was applied to the tray by moving the sieve continuously over the surface while tapping the sieve. One half of the dust was then removed by suction onto an in-line filter and the weight recorded, this was the pre-treatment control.
• test samples were assayed for the Der pi allergen using an ELISA (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) to determine the allergen content. This was then related to the weight of dust that had been present in each sample. All of the samples were multiplied up to compare the amount of allergen expected to be present in a 0. lg sample of dust. The percentage difference between the control sample and the exposed sample was then obtained.
• ELISA Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay
• the Der pi allergen reductions were as follows: Hot plate set to 130-250 °C, 0.8ml orange oil on 6ml water - 75.4% Hot plate set to 130-250°C, 0.8ml orange oil and 6ml water, emulsified - 91.0% Hot plate set to 60-90°C, 0.8ml orange oil on 6ml water - 48.6% Hot plate set to 40-74°C, 0.8ml orange oil on 6ml water - 47.9% Hot plate set to 30-50°C, 0.8ml orange oil on 6ml water - 48.0% Hot plate set to 20-25°C, 0.8ml orange oil on 6ml water - 44.6% Hot plate set to 40-74 °C, 6.8ml water only - 42.7%

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Natural Medicines & Medicinal Plants (AREA)
• Dentistry (AREA)
• Plant Pathology (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
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• Mycology (AREA)
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• General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
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• Medicines Containing Plant Substances (AREA)
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• Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
• Fats And Perfumes (AREA)
• Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
• General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)
• Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)
• Measuring Or Testing Involving Enzymes Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
• Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
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Citations (7)

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• 2004
  • 2004-02-13 GB GB0403231A patent/GB2410898A/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2005
  • 2005-02-14 EP EP05708315A patent/EP1713339B1/de not_active Not-in-force
  • 2005-02-14 CN CNA2005800048457A patent/CN1917768A/zh active Pending
  • 2005-02-14 DE DE602005003208T patent/DE602005003208T2/de active Active
  • 2005-02-14 AT AT05708315T patent/ATE377358T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-02-14 CA CA2554513A patent/CA2554513C/en active Active
  • 2005-02-14 US US10/597,406 patent/US20070166406A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-02-14 ES ES05708315T patent/ES2293536T3/es active Active
  • 2005-02-14 AU AU2005213880A patent/AU2005213880A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-02-14 BR BRPI0506928-9A patent/BRPI0506928A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2005-02-14 WO PCT/GB2005/000491 patent/WO2005079583A1/en active IP Right Grant
• 2006
  • 2006-07-10 ZA ZA2006/05727A patent/ZA200605727B/en unknown

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